The duty of the traffic police to regulate traffic and maintain lane discipline, considering various factors such as road width, traffic levels, and ongoing road projects.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd and 4th respondents to implement the communication of the 2nd respondent dated 21.12.2022 in respect of enforcing lane driving regulations on the roads of Chennai City Traffic Limits, as per the Section 119/117 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and scrupulously follow the Rules of the Road Regulations, 1989 under Section 18 "Driving on Channelized roads (lane traffic)".)

Sanjay V. Gangapurwala, C.J.

1. We have heard Mr.M.Devaraj, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, learned Additional Government Pleader, for the respondents.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the second respondent communicated the third and fourth respondents under communication dated 21.12.2022 to enforce lane driving for better traffic management such that vehicles of different class/categories are assigned to travel in specific lane of road. The respondents are not abiding the same.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader submits that at each and every place in the city of Chennai, dedicated lanes for a particular category of vehicles would not be feasible. There are various CMRL works in progress in the city. Traffic diversions as well as one-way system has been implemented in many stretches. Under the Smart City Project, the Highways Department has planned six works to be conducted at various locations. Additional six more bridges are being constructed at several significant locations in Chennai. The lane discipline is being enforced and fines are being imposed and collected.

4. Regulation 6 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, prescribes that where any road is marked by lanes for movement of traffic, the driver shall drive within the lane, and change lanes only after giving a proper signal or road marking or signage. It further provides that where any lane is marked specially for a class of vehicles, the vehicles of that class shall drive in that lane only.

5. Traffic management is the job of the police department. They are best suited to manage the traffic and maintain the traffic discipline so also the lane discipline. The second and fourth respondents have filed their affidavits. The affidavits say that the authorities, only after taking into account various aspects including the width of the road, traffic level, maintenance, specifically earmark a particular lane for the movement of a particular class of vehicles. Unless and until such specific marking is done with respect to the lane, there is no legal bar for any class of vehicles to use any lane in the road. The affidavits further state that specific marking of lane for use of particular class of vehicles cannot be done throughout the city of Chennai since the same depends on various aspects with respect to the width of the road, traffic, consequences of implementing various road projects, including construction of overbridge, widening of road, construction of storm water drain, laying of various underground cables and so on.

6. It appears that under the Smart City Project, the Highways Department has planned six works to be conducted in various locations in the city of Chennai so also the one-way system exists on various roads.

7. Traffic management, no doubt, is a complex issue wherein a greater efficiency would be required to maintain the same. No doubt, the authorities would be required to consider the various aspects of the matter. We cannot expect the marking of lane for different vehicles at congested places and/or the places where there is overcrowding. However, it is also the duty of the traffic police to regulate the traffic in a manner that a citizen does not have to undergo hassles and that the offending vehicles are being properly penalised and action is taken against them. The respondent authorities are duty bound to take steps for smooth movement of the traffic and the vehicles. The action being taken against